News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEATH AT KENT INSTITUTION

AGASSIZ, BC, November 13, 2008 - Kent Institution has been locked down following a serious assault of three inmates this evening, leaving one inmate dead.

At approximately 7:50 p.m., :00 last evening correctional staff responded to a fight in the gymnasium. Gas was deployed and a warning shot was fired, at which time the inmates became compliant. Three inmates were taken to the Institutional Health Services Unit for treatment where one inmate was pronounced dead.

Due to the severity of his the injuries, one inmate was transported by air ambulance to outside hospital. A second inmate was transported to outside hospital by ambulance where he remains in stable condition.

The deceased was 28-year-old, Andrew Craig, who was serving a 10-year sentence for robbery. His sentence commenced on January 28, 2004.

Next-of-kin have been notified.

The RCMP and the institution's Security Intelligence Office are investigating the incident. The institution will remain locked down throughout the investigation and to conduct a search for weapons.

No staff or other inmates were injured during this incident.

Kent Institution is a federal maximum-security institution located 120 kilometers east of Vancouver. The institution currently houses 227 inmates.

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For further information media representatives may contact:

Whitney Mullin
Acting/Assistant Warden Management Services
Office 604-796-4404
Cell Phone 604-819-3962